Robert Scovel Wells ’50

Robert Scovel Wells ’50, 85, of Sunnyside Retirement Community in Harrisonburg, Va., died on June 18, 2012. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Anne McLean Wells, whom he married on Dec. 28, 1948, and with whom he has now reunited in love. The Reverend “Bob” Wells was born Oct. 24, 1926, in Petersburg, Va., and was a son of the late Horatio Harold and Louise Hendrickson Wells. He and his wife pastored and lived in Eden, N.C., Greensboro, N.C., Roanoke, and Richmond before moving to Harrisonburg in 1985, when he retired. Following service as a medic in the U.S. Navy in WWII, Wells studied at Davidson, but graduated from the University of Richmond. He began work in his father’s chicken hatchery in Richmond while going to school. He assumed ownership and grew the business stronger. While serving as a young adult leader in the Forest Hill Presbyterian Church in Richmond, he met Anne, fell in love, and they were married. After the birth of their four children, Wells felt a sense of call into the Christian ministry, a vocation in which he faithfully served for many years. His ministry was marked by a focus on youth and families and continued as he extended care and a listening ear to family, friends, and the Sunnyside staff to the end. Wells was very active and supportive of the ministries of Massanetta Springs. He is survived by two sons, Robert S. Wells, Jr. (Donna) and David M. Wells (Kathy); two daughters, Laura Wells Holbrook (Fred), c/o Massanetta Springs Camp and Conference Center, 712 Massanetta Springs Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801, and Carol Wells Are (Tom); one sister, Louise Riggan Temple; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.